Revisiting the Adventure Force Thundershot

[@NGOTB]

That’s sneaky isn’t it. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone, but it would make sense. They send out high-quality, high performance PR models in the production packaging. You love it, you give it the thumbs up. They make the change behind closed doors for public release. Save money, while making some on the wave of good press. You still get what you pay for, and the blaster functions as intended. But not what the PR models got.

[@beretnarf]

Oh Buzzbee, what're you doing? I'm eventually going to check out this blaster but in the meantime I can't help but be fascinated by their decision making. It's pretty disappointing to see those blaster differences...and I bet it was plenty shocking when you saw it for yourself in person. To not tell you is either malicious or lazy and neither is a great excuse because they can hide behind your reviews and let you take the blame for "misleading" people. Definitely do not let them use you like that.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

You can probably hear it in my voice at the moment I pulled the shells apart. That's not edited there, and it finally clicked as to why people I trust like BuffDaddyNerf started saying that they had critical failures on this blaster. His pictures didn't make sense, as I'd already released my internals video and knew from mine that it had a normal sliding catch that is pretty heavy duty. Combine that with the major performance differences and I had to dig deeper. Thanks for dropping by though Beret!

[@rudyd1772]

@@MongooseJakeNerf I commented in your first internals video that mine was completely different, I’m glad I’m not crazy.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

@@rudyd1772 Your comment was one of them that I had remembered.

[@Essrayle]

Hey, never jumped to conclusions here. I personally think you're the most legit and "real" of the nerf tubers really, looks like a bait and switch went down and we should hold the appropriate parties accountable. Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention, hope your metal parts work out, hopefully they make things right so we can all have good thundershots we paid for.

[@thechairman1024]

I recently bought this blaster and was extremely excited for it. First day of use it was shooting in the 60fps region and by the second day it was averaging about 20 fps. Clearly something failed critically :( Thanks for uploading this video I'm glad to know I'm not the only one having issues. Also you have a lot of integrity don't feel too bad lmao not your fault buzzbee screwed you EDIT: I also just remembered my tetrashot fires extremely inconsistently. Looks like you get what you pay for I now see why buzzbee is so cheap lol

[@skeemeastwood9075]

My first tetrashot wouldnt rotate the chain after firing it like 4 times..well 16 times..but yeah it failed almost right away

[@haydenyeung7500]

I don't mind the unscrewing, shows that you're trying to be as genuine as possible and I respect that. Thanks for making this video.

[@nathandc]

Please don't apologize for video length here, it is very much warranted here, and I very much appreciate your transparency on this video. I feel as others have said that someone played fast and loose with the quality of the production models.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

The length is just something I know that many get tired of in this day and age of info overload. I'm not really into that, as I want to show all the details in real time as much as possible. Glad some appreciate it!

[@nathandc]

@@MongooseJakeNerf While I don't always love long videos, I see this video as very different from normal ones. There was a major issue for the hobby and info needed to be shown in the most transparent way possible. You took the time to do that well imho.

[@derekbevil4593]

The issue is the seal on the front of the plunger tube, I ripped that cheap foam off and put my own foam pad on it and the performance is great now! I also doubled up the return spring on the plunger Tube.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I thought that looked cheap under my inspection. I'll be fully modding both of the store bought ones I have, and will be sure to do the seal replacement and PT spring.

[@DaveDunaway]

Jake - appreciate the long form tear down of later production blasters. One of your best videos!

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Thanks Dave!

[@Jackalblade9]

I just want to start by saying thank you so much for this video. It broke down the whole mess perfectly. I'm so sorry Buzzbee did you dirty like this, sir. Like you, I hope this was a bad production run, but this is a bad look for them no matter how you slice it.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Glad it was a good watch! And, I hope that Buzz Bee takes note, which so far they've proven to be willing to do in the past.

[@ryanengelstad6073]

Somewhere there is a engineer saying seee i told you,, didnt i tell you

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I hope so, as this can't be the way that Buzz Bee goes in the long road, as it won't work out for them.

[@Maverik770]

Great video, Jake. So sad to see that difference when you opened the store bought versions. I also bought one from the store and can confirm it is the same as your store bought ones. Very disappointing they made this change behind the scenes before launching the consumer line of them. Thanks for your hard work and bringing all of this information to light. Completely transparent as always. You're very appreciated for the work and information you provide to the community. I'm really sorry to see them try to slide this by their reviewers/supporters. I'm kind of shocked that they didn't think you'd catch this difference though. Have they ever watched your videos?? You always tear these things apart and would instantly notice that change.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I honestly don't know what and when happened with the changes, but am talking to their VP about this specifically as well as the Long Distance darts having some big glueing issues. Hopefully something gets changed and they take note of the failures that have happened with the Thundershot as well as the reduced performance of the released models.

[@Maverik770]

@@MongooseJakeNerf it's really great that you have a line of communication with them and are taking advantage of that to provide top tier feedback to them about their products. Again, we the community we really appreciate your efforts!

[@adriansue8955]

Reviewer's who buy the products off shelf with their own money, always have more credibility to me than ones who Receive products direct for the purpose of review. This is why. Thanks for coming back and evaluating a production version, demonstrates integrity. Please consider adopting a policy in the future about reviewing 'provided' items.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

95% or more of the items on my channel are paid for with my own money, so typically this isn't even a issue.

[@patrickrowe5781]

Great video. Hey man good on you. I figured there was something weird going on, it’s too bad that they decided to cut costs on the production model, I was really looking forward to this blaster. Keep up the great work man, I appreciate it.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Had to find out for myself what was up and document it for everyone to see. Some people were making it out to be that I had kind of glossed over the blaster making it better than it was, when that was absolutely not the case, and needed to be shown.

[@raouleduke8001]

Someone is saving production costs.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

That certainly seems to be the case.

[@mattbatesteacher]

No worries about the video length. Raw, unedited footage with no cuts means nobody can make serious arguments against your results.

[@tacklengrapple6891]

I know this is late, but just wanted to add that this is an extremely common occurrence in manufacturing. Just as an example, it used to be widespread throughout the automotive industry back in the 60’s and on. Car review magazines like “Car and Driver” and “Road and Track” would be given tuned up versions of a manufacturer’s new model of muscle car, sports car, etc, to get the best performance times and a glowing review. The production model would then be a de-tuned, lower performing version. Chinese manufacturing facilities in all industries are not exactly known for being above doing this too…

[@wendellalba7410]

Thank you for your integrity...Buzzbee sending you a blaster so you would give us a great review...your Buzzbee-sent blaster with, in your words: "a proper catch mechanism"..."superior blaster"...and selling us an inferior blaster...hopefully not on purpose...is a shame

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I don't know the details behind the scenes, but am going to try and find out.

[@robertbrunello]

I actually thought about buying this one, glad I held off.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Glad to help!

[@zeroblade6599]

It also seems the ones catching on the trigger don't hold the hammer down as far as the one with the actual catch

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

And there's part of the reduced performance. Not as much draw length being utilized means less effective air volume.

[@gargunkle]

This was interesting to me. I hadn't planned to get this blaster (not a fan of hammer prime) but now I am vaguely tempted on the good version.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Going to find out directly from Buzz Bee's VP what happened here. The good version is genuinely good, and a front runner for hammer primed pistols along with the Fortnite 6SH. The worse version is simply worse overall despite having the same shell.

[@gargunkle]

@@MongooseJakeNerf I expect it's probably some sort of cost cutting measure

[@zackary6088]

when doing this kind of thing with identical blasters, if there is no visible difference between the better performing one and the others maybe label them so they dont get mixed up, could prove helpful in the long run :)

[@alekszandor]

This is really good to see a deep analysis of. Please do the same of the Tetrashot too as I have seen some having issues with that one too that doesn't line up with the one you got.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I've actually already bought another one to mod up for a single shot but higher fps version.

[@alekszandor]

@@MongooseJakeNerf Thanks for staying unbiased despite them sending you free stuff. Have you asked your contact about the change of internals btw?

[@robblerobble8382]

I'm holding out hopes that someone designs a replacement grip that is "more horizontal and less vertical", and sweeps mostly backward instead of sweeping mostly downward. More akin to a flintlock pistol, ergonomically. I'm pretty confident that holding it that way will make it MUCH easier to one-hand prime.

[@trentencraig5622]

If buzzbee is willing to change production half way through make the quadshot a shotgun

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

It should have been, would have been awesome to have a production belt fed shotgun from the start!

[@Boomtendo4tw]

I have the weaker catch but mine have been working fine. Agree with all the points made. Hope they make the trigger thicker or go back to the old catch system and improve on the next iteration

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Already having conversations with them about this. The first catch is great, they should have just stuck with it.

[@RyFiChannel]

After seeing this, I opened up my thundershot that I was sent - it has the "shiny" style. Interesting to see the final production run had that difference

[@JoltKing627]

This change definitely makes me sad, limits performance in upgrading for sure, because a metal hammer will never match the speed possible with the plastic one. I was actually kinda excited for this, now im kinda turned off.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

The speed of the hammer is a bit over thought out in my opinion, as with a heavier metal hammer, it can also handle much more spring loads, and to compensate for the additional weight you just bump up the spring a bit. I'll be testing this out in time though!

[@whoitesnek2015]

A revisiting? Interesting.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

When something's up I like to investigate why!

[@jeremymay7171]

I still trust you as a reviewer good sir. If anything as a community, we need to collectively call out buzzbee for this. After we sung them praises since updating their line up in 2015, this is how they repay us? I proudly own a Sentinel that I bought brand new because I believe in the brand. I even have a 2015 Gargantua even though I don't play with water blasters just because I want Buzzbee to live on as a brand. I also have a snipe, a reaper, and a Night Tek I may have forgotten some but my point is: Buzzbee, don't cut corners with the internals of your blasters. A working product that performs well will always be remembered than a shiny looking one that breaks immediately.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Absolutely agree on the "working product that performs well" and that should be every company's primary goal. We'll support them if they make good products we can count on.

[@theonionbro1349]

Disappointing to see the internals being reworked into a far inferior version. However, I'm still a fan of the overall shell design, and have put out a 3d-printed kit that fixes the grip ergonomics, oversized barrel, and removed the amount of play in the Cylinder. (It tends to shift backwards and forward loosely and creates an inconsistent seal with the plunger tube) www.thingiverse.com/thing:4935454

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

A very nice kit, as I mentioned on Reddit (hardly on there, but had to comment on your kit). Would love to get my hands on one to do a build!

[@_frxst_5]

Saddening they might be going the Nerf route but hopefully not. That aside thanks as well for calling them out as others have said brings more credibility which is pretty cool

[@supercow61]

Yes metal ,yes mod , and I WILL GET ONE !!!!

[@warhamsterful]

Never doubted the integrity/validity of your original review, if they tell you it's a none cherry picked production model then you go with it, but it does seem like they used you some for a good early review. :( It almost looks like a weaker spring as well given the way the original one snaps back to neutral quicker than the new 2 maybe im being paranoid (maybe it's the shorter draw you mentioned below) lol. :/ Thanks for the update on this, has made me rethink my purchase :( I'd be keen to see an update on the one that uses the grip as the trigger (forgot the name), because the other reviews of that one seem to have much lower performance as well. :( Shame on you Buzzbee. Edit : At least you got a good one, if the mech from the first one fits in the other shells one of the other 3rd party companies or someone like drac could replicate the original mech in colab with you ;) Edit Edit : Just rewatched the videos, looks like even the shells are different inside? :/

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I appreciate the trust there Hamster, as that should be a top priority for any and all reviewers. If your word is worthless, than you're not a good reviewer in my opinion. As far as the reduced performance, could be the slightly lower draw (but it's only slightly lower), or worse o-rings, or even dry plunger tube that needs better and more lube. I do think that the internals could be swapped...

[@skrebbytdg]

I hate that they did this to you! Also if anything, this makes you a more credible reviewer!

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

I sincerely appreciate that.

[@proxithermoblast643]

shout out from American Foam recommendation! Subscribed for more nerf content!

[@zackary6088]

also i think you could maybe try and make it rear loaded, since there is from what i can tell some dead space in the cylinder so depending on the seal try that out

[@robblerobble8382]

OBSERVATION: No need to rely on the cylinder finish to distinguish between them. The packaging tie-wrap doesn't prevent you from priming it before buying it. So, WATCH THE TRIGGER while priming it. If the trigger MOVES, that's the cheaped-out "redesign". Your original evaluation model has NO trigger movement during the prime.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Also, another giveaway of the worse model is that the worse version has actual individual barrels in the cylinder while my original model has odd nearly hexagonal shaped areas with only a half inch of contact area at the bottom of the cylinder.

[@Lattolas]

I think the one I just bought has the proper catch in it...

[@milosmods]

This is sad I bought this blaster because you said it was a good one I know it's not your fault it happens I don't blame you for this so don't feel bad thay pulled the wool over your eyes and everybody else's eyes

[@sos_amazing718]

I ordered 3 and one arrived with the catch already broken 😡😡😡

[@BubbaBearsFriend]

Wow, I'd be livid if someone or a company did that to me since it would reflect poorly on my reputation. Buzzbee or its supplier could not possibly "inadvertently" do a design change that requires different molded parts in the time between sending you a review unit and having thousands of the "real" ones hit the shelf at Wal*Mart. I'd go as far as to say that it was a fraudulent act by Buzzbee / Adventure Force or its suppliers to do the "bait and switch". Edit: It could possibly be the supplier sending "first run" blasters to Buzzbee for approval while all the time having a cheaper one already on the real manufacturing line so they could make more profit with the cheaper, less reliable one while charging Buzzbee for manufacturing the more complex one.

[@Killer_Kotomibro]

Woooow, that is some DIRTY frackin pool. That's literally two different blasters. Hard pass from me unless this is addressed properly and publicly.

[@rebekahdodge3251]

Sad that buzz bee, known by modders for their durable internals, made a huge mistake like this.

[@rebekahdodge3251]

I know it was probably intentional, but that is a mistake in a different way.

[@1337wafflezz]

Man…that’s disappointing. With such a slam dunk as their box mag pistols, the Agitator, the Springfire pistol, the rebel mech(a lil weird but cool)? what a bad year for buzzbee and that’s NOT OK what they did. their new blasters are all pretty lackluster compared to the competition, they can’t afford to be doing this kinda crap.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Well, while I'm disappointed in the change made to the Thundershot, the TriggerFire is still a great purchase with it being far better than the Nailbiter ever hoped to be, and the Equalizer is a viable little pistol. The Tetrashot is a decent and unique blaster itself, just not the belt fed shotgun most hoped it would be. So, that's 3 out of 4 that are still decent to good to even great. The TriggerFire is the hit of the bunch in my opinion.

[@aaden2626]

what an odd blaster xD

[@midorimacaw]

This is really sad. Obviously not your fault, but I bought this blaster based on your review...and then ended up with an entirely different blaster with disappointing performance.

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

That's specifically what bothers me so much about the whole deal. I gave my recommendation based on the one I've been using. It's still performing just like I stated in the review, and I've really put it through a lot of use. That made me be really confused when everyone else had low performance and failures as mine is still going strong.

[@DevilZcall]

That's pretty disgusting. And all that to save a single piece of plastic and a small spring. Even without any outcry, I would bet whatever they saved by doing this, will be lost in sales because the blaster now performs significantly worse in direct comparison to the competition.

[@josemoreno7785]

That’s not cool at all from Buzzbee, when people look at reviews we want to know if we want to buy something. They completely mislead us by giving you a better blaster than the normal ones. That’s pretty shitty man.

[@ssantos856]

It sounds so cheap and crappy i wouldn't even think about using even if it was givin to me for free